This week is finals week which allowed Nathan to sneak off with me mid week to do some Smokies fishing. I had the idea to fish this stream after hearing about someone having an awesome day recently compounded with Matt Kulp saying that there are tons of Big Browns for the small size of the stream

Nathan picked me up and we headed over the mountain. Pretty morning with light traffic, and besides some smelly brake pads we were no worse for wear at the trailhead.

Here are some easy clues even an amateur Smokies fisherman could follow.

Cool fungus growing on dead Hemlock

Wild Geraniums in Purple and White

We both guessed that this was used for trout at some point in History

We finally made it to the stream

Never seen this before

After just fishing a couple pools that were unproductive, we realized our folly. Wet boot print. I walked up a few more pools to confirm that the first one wasn't mine, and someone did beat us to the stream. Time for Plan B

I just a minute or two it seemed like a good plan when Nathan caught this lovely Brown

I hooked into a Brown a minute later that wasn't as nice and I lost him at the last second. Just enough time to get a good look at a yellow belly

Sadly to say this was my best Rainbow of the day

Plan C - Awful tight

Me and Sally

We fished up a few pools with no success. We both decided it was a bit tight for the day, and hiked back out. Nathan was determined to catch a fish out of a new stream and his persistence paid of in the short stretch between the culverts and the stream

Plan D

As we were hiking down to Plan D Nathan and I both spotted a pool that would be perfect for a nice Brown. Unfortunately for the fisherman the placement of trees and currents made it impossible to fish it good

I knew this guy was around but I was glad to actually see him

Anyone know what these are about? Thought maybe someone was buried here or maybe someone dropped some ashes here?

Great thread. Thanks for the pics so that an amateur smokies fisherman like myself can figure out new places to explore. Hopefully I'll have some pics of my own to share sometime soon. Bringing my dad up from ATL to fish the park this weekend, looking forward to it!

I would like to know how many small Smokies streams you guys have caught trout in I bet it is a lot. I like the idea of "prospecting" the small streams that no one ever mentions to see whats in there. Been surprised a few times. Great report and picks DP!